Podcast Summary: "They're Already Tearing Themselves Apart"
The Next Level Podcast
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Hosted by JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller of The Bulwark
1. Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:27 - 01:26)
The episode begins with the trio engaging in their characteristic banter, establishing a casual and humorous tone. They briefly discuss their personal interactions, setting the stage for the deeper political conversations to follow.
2. Republicans Targeting Liz Cheney (01:26 - 05:34)
JVL initiates the primary discussion by highlighting the Republican House's efforts to undermine Liz Cheney. He describes this move as a "canary in the coal mine," suggesting that Cheney's jeopardy signals broader challenges within the GOP.
JVL states:
"I think Liz Cheney and Adam and basically the people who did the January 6th committee were going to be the first people when they are talking about retribution." [01:26]
Sarah Longwell concurs, elaborating on the sinister nature of these actions:
"This is a real attempt at retribution because it's not just about getting Liz Cheney... They are mad and want to discredit it." [02:08]
Tim Miller adds a layer of skepticism regarding the seriousness of the threats against Cheney:
"I think that Loudermilk thing is ridiculous. It's as likely that this is a buffoon stepping on rakes over and over again... It's as likely that it's a serious threat to Liz Cheney." [06:05]
3. The Chilling Effect on Civic Space (05:34 - 10:40)
Sarah Longwell pushes back against Tim's dismissal of the threats, emphasizing the broader "chilling effect" on civic engagement:
"We're in the middle of a deep effort to chill civic space. Right. To scare people." [07:28]
She references Brett Stevens' column in the New York Times, criticizing his stance on Liz Cheney and the Never Trump movement:
"Bret Stephens is putting on the hair shirt to say, boy, never Trumpers were wrong..." [08:36]
Tim Miller acknowledges the chilling effect but maintains his position that the immediate threat to Cheney may be overblown:
"It's having a chilling effect across the board... But this Loudermilk thing is ridiculous." [07:28]
4. Internal GOP Struggles and Leadership Issues (10:40 - 18:33)
The conversation shifts to the internal dynamics of the GOP, focusing on leadership struggles within the House. JVL highlights Speaker Mike Johnson's recent actions:
"Speaker of the House for now Mike Johnson having he tweeted out this that he spent all night texting... with Elon and Vivek Ramaswamy." [18:33]
Tim Miller dissects the implications of Johnson's dealings with figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, suggesting a disconnect within GOP leadership:
"This blunt rotation is a real nightmare of all nightmares... This is Steve Bannon doing motion to vacate." [19:07]
Sarah Longwell criticizes the GOP's inability to govern effectively, pointing out their preference for opposition over leadership:
"This is a party that cannot govern. And as a result, you got to negotiate with the Democrats or... negotiate with your own side." [23:05]
5. Influence of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (18:33 - 29:31)
The hosts delve into the influence of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy on the GOP's strategies and policies. JVL remarks on Elon Musk's aggressive stance against the Continuing Resolution (CR):
"Elon comes on to Twitter and goes thermonuclear against the CR calls... Democrats should really not save these people from themselves." [19:28]
Tim Miller explores the potential outcomes of this influence, forecasting continued chaos within Republican ranks:
"They got a three vote majority if you're lucky... This is a shit show, y'all." [26:00]
Sarah Longwell envisions a scenario where Musk holds Republicans accountable, further destabilizing the party:
"Elon is just going to be setting policy via Twitter and via texting... He's gonna hold these Republicans' feet to the fire." [26:08]
6. Tariffs and Trump's Economic Policies (32:53 - 43:54)
The discussion transitions to tariffs and their effectiveness. JVL sarcastically comments on the lack of actual tariffs being implemented:
"If you want to run the government now... Get real tariffs and real inflation... This is late-stage capitalism." [32:53]
Tim Miller provides a critique of Trump's tariff promises, expressing skepticism about their practical implementation:
"Tariffs have always been a tough one for me... I think tariffs are even more likely than deportations to end up being fake." [40:02]
Sarah Longwell agrees, noting that business leaders do not expect serious enforcement of tariffs:
"They really don't think he's serious about either the tariffs or the mass deportations... They'll just declare victory." [40:02]
7. Brett Stephens' Column and Media Critique (43:54 - 58:19)
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting Brett Stephens' column, with JVL and Sarah Longwell vehemently disagreeing with his pro-Trump stance.
Sarah Longwell summarizes her criticism:
"If anything, never Trumpers underestimated the Trump threat. And that Trump's first term was essentially as bad as we said it was going to be." [50:08]
Tim Miller challenges Stephens' portrayal of Trump, highlighting the inconsistencies and hypocrisy:
"He points out that some of Trump's anger is correctly directed... But you have to be polite, but they're all self-satisfied elites... Brett's defense is just... We're respecting the will of the voters, but they are not right." [56:21]
JVL offers a theory on Stephens' motivations, suggesting personal vendettas drive his pro-Trump rhetoric:
"There's a near in-group, near out-group dynamic at work here... Maybe he's endlessly annoyed by his colleagues at the New York Times opinion page." [58:17]
8. COVID-19 Response and Elite Failures (58:19 - 63:32)
The hosts critique the federal government's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the failures of the elite to manage the crisis effectively.
JVL points out:
"Nobody seems to be interested in learning from the fact that the federal government dissolved the Pandemic Planning task force in 2018." [60:08]
Tim Miller agrees, recounting specific failures:
"The president did almost kill the former governor of New Jersey with COVID... It was terrible." [61:03]
Sarah Longwell echoes these sentiments, highlighting the spread of misinformation:
"People made us wear masks. There were a bunch of suboptimal policies." [62:27]
9. Final Remarks and Wrap-Up (63:32 - End)
As the episode winds down, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter, discussing personal anecdotes and preparing for the holiday season. They briefly touch upon drone sightings and transition into promoting upcoming segments.
JVL concludes with:
"This show is really off the rails now... Incredibly long show." [65:03]
Tim Miller adds a humorous note:
"What a good show. Merry Christmas." [65:34]
The episode ends with an invitation to listeners to subscribe and engage further with their content.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
JVL:
"I think Liz Cheney and Adam and basically the people who did the January 6th committee were going to be the first people when they are talking about retribution." [01:26] -
Sarah Longwell:
"We're in the middle of a deep effort to chill civic space. Right. To scare people." [07:28] -
Tim Miller:
"I think that Loudermilk thing is ridiculous. It's as likely that this is a buffoon stepping on rakes over and over again... It's as likely that it's a serious threat to Liz Cheney." [06:05] -
Sarah Longwell:
"This is a real attempt at retribution because it's not just about getting Liz Cheney... They are mad and want to discredit it." [02:08] -
Tim Miller:
"It's having a chilling effect across the board... But this Loudermilk thing is ridiculous." [07:28]
Conclusion
In this episode of The Next Level, JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller delve deep into the internal turmoil within the GOP, the targeted attacks on Liz Cheney, and the broader implications for American politics. Their candid discussions highlight concerns about the party's direction, leadership struggles, and the potential chilling effects on civic engagement. Additionally, they critically analyze media figures like Brett Stephens and reflect on the government's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with a blend of serious political discourse and light-hearted interactions, embodying the hosts' signature blend of insight and banter.